Electric programme-clock



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. L. MGGASKEY. ELECTRIC PROGRAMME oLocK! No. 463,843. Patented Nov. 24,1891.

vwewtoz 2.157272. 13. flaawkeyv mien 1213 Low mamas (No Model.) 2Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. L. MQCASKEY.

ELECTRIU PROGRAMME CLOCK.

Patented Nov. 24, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. MCOASKEY, OF XVAYNESBOROUGII, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC PROGRAMME-CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,843, dated November24, 1891.

Application filed May 12, 1890. Renewed July 6, 1891. Serial No.398,604. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. MCOASKEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Vaynesborough, in the county of Franklin, State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Electrical Programme-Clocks, of which the following is aspecification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to programme-clocks, the construction, mode ofoperation, and advantages of which will be hereinafter described, andthe novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out inthe claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a programme-clockconstructed in accordance with my invention and a diagram of itsapplication to a use in connection with four compartments having audiblealarms therein. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of an automaticcalendar-switch which inay be employed in connection with the clock.Fig. 3 is a plan of the switch shown in Fig. 2 and of its connectionwith the annuli of a programme-clock. Fig.4 is a vertical section takenon theline a of Fig. 2 and through the portion shown at the extremeright of Fig. Fig. 5 is a plan and partial section illustrating themeans employed for steadying the hour-hand and minute-hand spindles.Fig. 0 illustrates the means for preven ti n g end shake of the hour andminutehaud spindles. Figs.

7 and S are details of the hour and minute handsprovided withcontact-points. Fig. 9 is a modification of the contact-points andhandsupports. Fig. 10 is a section illustrating the construction of thefixed contact-points on the clock-dial and a plan illustrating themovable contact-point on the dial. Figs. 11 and 14 are a section andperspective, respectively, of one form of movable and adjustablecontact-points, which in use are arranged upon the annuli; and Figs. 12and 13 represent modifications in the form of such contact.- pointswhereby they are removable.

Likeletters and numerals refer to like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

A represents the dial of any ordinary clock, and A its case.

B is the minute-hand, O the hour-hand, and

C the spindle upon which said hands are mounted in the usual manner. Inordinary clock-movements the spindle C is so loosely mounted that it maybe easily shaken endwise or sidewise, and when it is attempted to applyto such movements electrical programme mechanism I have found byexperience that a failure in operation often results by reason of theliability of the hands to travel in other than a uniform distance fromthe dial and from the center thereof radially, so that contact-pointscarried by the hands will fail to touch the stationary contacts arrangedupon the dial, and hence no signal is given, either visible or audible,at a predetermined.time. In order to remedy this existing defect, Iprovide a bar D, (see Fig. 5,) which extends across the opening in thedial through which the hand-spindle projects, and through this bar Iform an opening D, which shall lit the sleeve of the hour-hand as snuglyas possible without producing undue friction. To prevent end shake inthe spindle and hands, I provide an elliptical or other shaped spring DFig. 6, to bear against either the hand or a shoulder on thehand-spindle, or the wheel inside works in connection with this spindleand against the dial. Insulatingtillings D are provided in the openingin the dial through which the hands pass and against the back of thedial or works where the spring D passes thereon.

The faces of clock-dials which are enameled are non-conductors, and inthem- -that is, in and upon and around the said dialI locate terminalplates or points E. (See Fig. 10.) One form consists of a staple ofcopper wire E, the legs of which are passed through openings formed inthe body of the dial and are riveted or upset at the back of the dial.The latter being metal serves as a conductor for the electric currentfrom point to point around the dial. In Fig. 1 these contacts E arearranged diametrically, so that when a contact carried by a hand of theclock passes thereover the length of time through which the signal,whether audible or visible, shall operate is comparatively short.Therefore to provide for a longer ringing of a bell or exposure of avisible signal I may construct these contacts E to be swung upon apivot, as

clearly illustrated at the right of Fig. 10, so that by turning it, asindicated in full lines, the contact-point of ahand will remain inconnection therewith for a longer or shorter period, as desired.

Each of the hands of the clock is provided with contact-points F andwith a support G, which may or may not be provided with an anti-frictionroller G, as desired. The object of the support G, which is arranged,preferably, at a desired distance from the handspindle and which isintended to bear upon the dial as the hand passes therearound, is tomaintain the hand throughout its length at a uniform distance from thedial, which support, in connection with any provision for preventing theend or side shake of the handspindle, renders the making of contact ofthe points of the hands with the nodes, poles, or contact-points on thedial or on any of the annuli thereon positive and certain. By thisconstruction a failure to produce an alarm at a predetermined time isavoided so far as the correct performance of the devices alreadydescribed is concerned.

Instead of regulating the length of time of exposure of a visible orsounding of an audible signal by means of a pivoted node or pole on thedial, as above described, I have devised other methods of producing thesame result. By reference to Fig. 9 it will'be seen that in the form ofcontact-point F illustrated at the left thereof the end of the point maybe lengthened and extended in a form to continue in connection with anode E fora longer or shorter time. If fora shorter, it may be bent up,as shown by dotted lines. Another form of adjusting the contact is bymeans of threading the end of a resilient contact-point, which passesthrough the hand of the clock, and providing a jam-nut F to secure thesame in an adjusted position. The same means may also be applied to thehandsupport G. By employing the bent or the resilient hand-contact andthe pivoted dialcontact very long signals may be produced.

Upon the face of the clock I arrange any desired, number of annuli II,and on each annulus I mount, in a manner hereinafter described, contactpoints or nodes I, and for facility in adjusting and arranging saidcontact-points to operate at a predetermined hour, fraction of an hour,or minute I may provide the dial proper of the clock with a supplementaldial or dials JJ',the former in this instance representing by itsdivisions five-minute periods and, if desired, again subdivided intoperiods of lesser duration, and the latter gaged to indicateminute-spaces and, if desired, fractions thereof. The subdial Jco-operates with the hour-hand and with the annuli, while the sub-dial Jco-opcrates with the minute-hand and the fixed nodes E on theclock-dial.

The annulus H consists in each instance of a ring or circle ofelectrically-conductive material, and it is insulatedly mounted upon thedial and concentric therewith. carries a series of contact pieces ornodes I.

Referring to Figs. 11,12, 13, and 14, it will be seen that I haveprovided an annulus-node which is adjustable either longitudinally orcircularly upon the annulus, whereby it can be moved to register withany subdivision of the dial J, which, as a matter of course, has settledrelation with the dial proper of the clock and which node may be alsoturned on the annulus in either direction, so as to be thrown either outof or into the path of the contact-point F of the clock-hand traversinga circle adjacent to said annulus. By this construction I facilitate toa material degree the adjustment of a programme-clock to a desired duty,and I may also as readily prevent the performance of that duty at will.One form of the adjustable node is that of a coiled wire mounted on theannulus II and having one end extended in the form of an indicator orfinger. In Fig. 11 this form is shown in full lines as in a position tomake connection with a hand contact-point, while in dotted lines it isshown as thrown out of operative position. In order to provide a nodefor the annuli which can be applied or removed with case, so as toincrease or decrease the capacity of the clock as to the number of thesignals which can be given during the complete rotation of the hourhand,I construct said nodes in the form illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13,wherein the body is adapted to embrace less than all of the sides orcircumference of the annulus and yet be capable of retention thereon,while at the same time it may be bodily removed or reversed to throw it.out of duty. The dial might be a non-conductor, and then I use the sameannulus and sliding spur for the minute-hand to strike as is shown forthe hourhand contact.

The electrical connections of a clock constructed as 'hereinbeforedescribed comprise any one form of battery K, which is directlyconnected with the metallic or conductive portion of the dial A of theclock, which serves to conduct the current to each and all of the fixedor dial nodes E, so that in the passage of the minute-hand B, providedwith its contact-point F, along over the dial the current will followsaid min ute-hand to the center-spindle and from thence through thehourhand to the contact-points F thereon. Each of the annuli isconnected by conductors a l) 0 (Z with the several signals 1 2 3 4 ofthe series to be employed, and these may be increased or decreased innumber at will by employingadesired number of annuli. These signals,whether audible or visible, may be arranged either in one or differentcompartments of a building or buildings, as desired.

As thus'far described, it will be seen that whenever the minute and hourhands simultaneously arrive at points where their contacts connect withnodes the circuit will be complete. If anodeI of the outer annulus IIEach annulus IIO (shown in Fig. 1) is in contact with the point F of thehour-hand-for example, the node I adjacent to the a hour-mark and thenode E at the 12 hour-mark being in contact with the point on theminute-handthe circuit will be completed from the battery K, through theconductor K, through the dial A to the fixednode E, through the hands BC and the adjustable node I to the annuli II, thence through theconductor a to the signal 1, and from thence through conductor K back tothe battery. If the hour-hand makes contact with a node on the secondannulus, the course is through the conductor 1) to signal 2, and fromthence back to the conductor K and the battery. In this manner thealarms are given from each of the annuli arranged on the dial.

If desired, a hand-switch may be introduced at any desired point in thecircuits to throw out of the series one or more of the signals. Ifdesired, the source of electricity may be other than the battery II. Ifsuch source is of a strength which would injure any of the mechanismemployed, a relay Ii may be inserted in the circuit to prevent suchinjury.

As far as described the programme-clock is adapted to repeat the sameprogramme from day to day when once adjusted, while in schools,seminaries, and institutions of learning Saturday is generally aholiday,in which case it is desirable to either dispense with or changethe programme. So, also, the same object may be desirable in connectionwith day and night programmes, and, furthermore, in business andcommercial houses a change of programme or a dispensation thereof isdesirable on Sundays.

At M, Fig. l, is arranged what I denominate a calendar-switch, thefunctions and duties of which are to automatically change the programmeannounced by the clock on Saturdays or Sundays or at or during any otherdesired periods. This calendar-switch is connected with the annuli bythe conductors a b c d and with the bells or other signals by theconductors to b 0 cl or by those lettered a b 0 61 In this instance aseries of bells 1 2 3 at (shown connected by proper conductors with therelay L) are in turn properly connected with the dynamo or other sourceof electricity. It now remains to describe the particular constructionof calendar-switch employed in this instance, although I do not limit myinvention to its use, but deem the substitution therefor of anyautomatic calendar-switch as within the scope of myinvention. In asuitable framework M there is a shaft M, Figs. 2 and 3, carrying aseries of disks (in this instance three in number) and indicated byletters N O I The disk N has fourteen pins projecting frontits face andfourteen square-faced teeth N on its periphery. Each of the pins andteeth represents a twelvehour period. The disk 0 has two pins 0 and 0while the diskP has five pins P on one side and seven pins P on theother side. The

iive pins on the one side are arranged intermediate the'seven pins onthe other side, with the exception of those of the seven pins which areat points adjacent to the two pins on the disk 0. Insulated blocks Q andR form the spacers or tie-bars of the frame M- In the former there aremounted spring-contactrods or feather-bars Q Q, Q". The face of the diskI may bear indications of the days and nights of the week, 'and apointer on the frame indicates the day or night for which the clock isset. A spring-detentN" prevents a backward rotation of the disks bycontacting with one side of the teeth N, while a nonresilient detent N-prevents an undue forward rotation of the disks, it being mounted on aslide N, carrying a pawl N, adapted to take against the teeth N by aspring N and to pass over said teeth when the slide N is raised. Aspring N (or it may be gravity) serves to move the slide in a downwarddi rection. A rod N passes into or is connected with a piece N ofinsulating material, which is itself connected with the slide by a rodN. The rod N passes above the calendar into the clock-case and ispivotally connected to a rock-arm N pivoted at N to any fixed part, sothat a cam N mounted on the hour-hand or spindle, will at each rotationof the hourhand spindle come in contact with a lateral projection at thejunction of the rod N and rock-arm N and raise the slide In this mannerintermittent rotation is given to the disks at every complete rotationof the hourhand. Each of the feather-bars is electrically connected, asshown, with each of the annuli H of the clock-face, as clearly indicatedin Fig. 3, and each annulus is brought into the circuit or released, asdesired, by the action of the disk-pins upon the feather-bars. Forinstance, on Sundays the pin connects with the Sunday annulus by thefeather-bar after the Saturday night is released from contact.

S, Fig. 2, is arock-shaft constructed of nonconducting material andhaving an arm S.

The rock-shaft S isalso provided with an upwardly-projecting contact-armS Fig. .4. A coiled spring S has a tendency to elevate the arm S, andthereby throw the contact' arm S into electrical connection with theterminal S in a circuit; but when the arm S is held down by one of theday-pins on the dial N the contact-arm S is put into electricalconnection with the terminal A current of electricity passes through theconductor S and the binding-posts (shown in Fig.4) and thence throughthe coiled spring S to the arm The conductor S (shown at the lowerrighthand corner of the frame M in Fig. 2) is for completing the circuitbetween the spring S, the frame of the switch, and the battery or othersource of electricity. It will be seen, therefore, when the arm S is incontact with a day-pin the contact-arm S will send the current throughthe point S and conductor S to a room or compartment occupied in theday-time, whereby signals in accordance with the predeterminedprogrammearranged on the annuli of the clock will be given during theday. In the following night, the cam N hav ing reciprocated the plate Nand the disk N having been rotated the distance of one tooth, the arm Sis brought into connection with a night-pin of the calendar and its diskN, so that the contact-arm S makes connection with the opposite terminalS, and the current flows through the conductor S to a compartment orroom used in the nighttime.

The particular operation of the automatic calendar-switch, so faras theselection of predetermined signals is concerned, is as follows: In Fig.2 the arm S is in contact with the Monday pin. Therefore the contact-armS Fig. 3, is in electrical connection with the pin S and conductor 8,and therefore the various signals of the day programme, as arranged onthe desired annuli on the face of the clock will be sounded in acompartment used in the day-timefor example, a recitation-room and suchsignal will be operated as often as the hands of the clock make theconnection hereinbefore described with the dial-nodes E and theadjustable nodes I of the proper annulus. lVhen the hour-hand hascompleted a circuit, it operates, through the medium of the cam N thedisk-rotating devices, thereby bringing the Monday-night pin int-ocontact with the arm S, so that the arm S is by said night-pindepressed, so as to throw the contact-arm S over into connection withthe conductor S S which produces the announcement of signals in a roomemployed in the night-timeas, for example, a dormitorysuch signals beingpredetermined by an arrangement of the adjustable contacts or nodes onthe annulus electrically connected with the feather-bar Q, so as tocomplete the circuit through the pins and the frame-work of the machineto and through the conductor 5", Fig. 2. This automatic calendar-switchmay be employed without the use of the day and night programme selectingdevices just described, as a switch operated byhand toconnectelectrically with the conductors leading to separate compartmentsmay be employed. There are various other modifications which may be madein the specific construction and arrangement of the principle elementsof this calendar automatic switch without departing from the spirit ofmy invention, and I thereforedo not limit the same to the exact c011-struction shown and described.

I have illustrated in Fig. 1 various applications of hand-switches whichmay, though not preferred, take the place both partially and wholly ofthe calendar-switch. 0n the left of Fig. 1 I have illustrated a systemof connections whereby the several annuli may be separately connectedwith a single series through the means of a hand-switch M the circuiteither passing from the annuli through the conductors to b c (l, andeither one of which may be connected with the conductor 0', or a signal0 and from thence to the battery and to the dial, as clearly shown. Thisarrangement cuts out the automatic calendar-switch entirely. A conductor(3 may be connected with the switch and with the relay L, and the latteris connected by conductors L with a dynamo or other source ofelectricity, the relay performing its well-known function of preventinginjury to the apparatus by the current employed to operate the same.Instead of the employment ofa dynamo for the source of. electricity,independent batteries K may be employed in either of the systemsmentioned.

From the above description it will be seen that the operation of theapparatus can be controlled to produce signals in accordance with anypredetermin ed program meby simply arranging the movable nodes I on eachof the annuli, so that the contact-point of the hourhand will completethe circuit at the desired time. The time is determined by adj ustingthe node I upon the supplemental dial, so that it shall rest at thedesired tim e-indicating mark. If circumstances render it advisable orpreferable to change programmes in less or greater periods than those oftwelve hours each, it is apparent that the cam on thehourspindle may beprovided with two (more or less) operative points,or any other portionof the clock than the hour-spindle may be selected to operate thecalendar-switch, provided the selected portion has the desired time ofcompleting a revolution or any multiple thereof. In other words, thecalendar mechanism may be connected with any desired portion of themechanical works of the clock so long as the periods between themovements of the automatic calendar shall be such as is required undercircumstancesattending the use of the invention.

lVhat I claim -is 1. An annulus having a node adjustable both along andaxially about the same, substantially as specified.

2. An annulus having a node adjustable axially thereon, substantially asspecified.

The combination, with a clock-hand, of an adjustable support formaintaining the same at a uniform distance from the dial, substantiallyas specified.

4-. In a programme-clock, a support for the hour and minute handspindles and sleeves, substantially as specified.

5. In a programme-clock,asupport for the hour and minute hand spindlesand sleeves to prevent eccentricity thereof, in combination with adevice for preventing end shake of the same.

6. The combination, with the hour and minute hand spindles and sleevesof a programme-clock, of a bar-support through which the sleeve passesand a spring for preventing end shake, substantially as specified.

'7. A. programme-clock dial provided with a node movable so as toproject more or lessin the path of a co-operating contact, whereby thelength of contact-surface may be varied SCI and the continuance of thealarm determined, substantially as specified.

8. In a programme-clock, a contact for the hands thereof adjustablebetween the hand and the face of the clock, whereby the dura tion ofsignaling may be varied, as set forth.

9. The combination, with the hands of a programme-clock, of acontact-point adjustable in the hand to and from the clock-face, as setforth.

10. In a programme-clock, and in combination with the ordinaryclock-dial, an inner supplementaldial subdivided into minutes, in

combination with an annulus having a node mounted thereon forlongitudinal and transverse adjustment, substantially as specified.

11. The combination, with the clock-face, of annuli connected withsignals, contactpoints on the hands, adjustable nodes on the annuli,fixed nodes on the dial, and electrical connections extending from thedial to a battery and from the battery to a signal or signals,substantially as specified.

12. In a programme-clock, annuli for serving different programmes,electrically connected with a signal or signals, contact-points on thehands of the clock, and a switch for changing the current from dilferentannuli to different signals, substantially as specified.

13. In a programme-clock, annuli for different programmes, electricallyconnected with different signals, and an interposed automatic switchfor-changing the current, so as to oper ate in connection with differentannuli, substantially as specified.

14. In an electrical programmeclock, two annuli, each being for adifferent programme, a signal or series of signals, and an interposedelectrical switch operated by the clock, whereby at a predetermined timethe signals are operated in accordance with a changed programme,substantially as specified.

15. In a program nae-clock, an automatic calendar-switch comprising twoor more series of electrically-conductive devices and insulatedmechanical devices connected with a part of the movable works of a clockfor changing the connection of said conductive devices, wherebydifferent programmes may be auto matically announced.

16. The combination, with an electrical programme-clock adapted torender signalsin accordance with two or more programmes, of anelectrical switch intermittently vibrated mechanically by the clock tochange the current of electricity from one set of programme-announcingdevices to another, substantially as specified.

17. In an electrical programme-clock adapted to render the signals of aday and night programme, an electrical switch arranged to deflect thecurrent from one to the other of the conductors connecting the day andthe night programmes with their respective systems of signals andmechanical devices operatively connecting said switch with the circuitsof the clock, substantially as specified.

18. In an electrical prograinmeclock, and in combination withthehour-hand or spindle thereof, an operative device which acts once ineach revolution of said hand or spindle and mechanical devices extendingtherefrom to and insulated from an electrical switch lo cated in thepath of the current employed for operating signals and controlled byprogramme-annuli, which are in turn brought into action by the hands ofthe clock, snbstautially as specified.

10. An automatic calemlar-switch for elec trical programme-clocks,comprising rotating disks of electrically-conductive material and havingprojections and a series of featherbars electrically connected with theannuli of the clock, whereby the rotation of the disks changes thecourse of the current and the electrical connection of the annuli withsystems of signals, substantially as specified.

20. In an automatic switch for electrical programme-clocks, a diskhaving projections on each of its faces, those on one face agreeing innumber with the nights of the week, those on the opposite face agreeingwith the same number less two, a secondary disk having two projections,one on each face, a series of feather-bars electrically connected withthe annuli of a clock, and means for rotating the disks to change theelectrical connection with the annuli, substantially as specified.

21. In an automatic calendar-switch for electrical programme-clocks, aseries of disks electrically connected with a source of electricity andwith a series of annuli, said disks having projections for changing thecourse of the electrical current, substantially as specified.

22. In an automatic switch, aseries of disks having projections adaptedto be brought into or brought out of electrical connection with theprograminc-determining devices of a pro gramme-clock, in combinationwith devices, as the levers S S and connections for changing the courseof the current passing through said disks to different sets of signals,whereby said signals may be announced in different compartments-as, forexample, a recitationroom or dormitoryand whereby also the signalsannounced may be in accordance with different programmes, substantiallyas specified.

23. In an automatic calendar-switch for programme-clocks, thecombination, with the devices thereof for changing the current, of theclock-works and pawl-and-ratchet mechanism electrically insulated fromand mechanically connected with said clock-works, substantially asspecified.

In an automatic calendar-switch, and in combination with thecurrent-changing devices thereof, a disk constituting a ratchet providedwith day and night pins, and a switch insulated from the current, as atS, but operatively connected with the ratchet, as at S, so as to bethrown from one position to another by the pins on said ratchet,substantially as specified.

25. In an automatic calendar-switch, a pa wland-ratchet mechanism, theratchet of which is provided with projections or pins, and a rockshaftelectrically insulated from and mechanically connected with said ratchetand carrying a contact-point, whereby the course of the current ischanged, substantially as specified.

26. An automatic calendar-switch co mprisin g a rotatable shaft, aratchet mounted thereon, a reciprocating plate carrying a pawl, suitabledetent-s, a rod conneoting'the plate with a device on the hour-handshaft of a clock, insulating means arranged between the plate and saidhour-shaftand forming a part of the connection between said parts, and adevice on said hour-shaft for reciprocating the plate in successivepredetermined periods whereby the mechanical works of the clock areutilized to change the automatic switch in desired divisions of therotation of the selected part of the mechanical works'of the clock,substantially as specified.

27. In a programine-clock, an annulus having a node embracing the sameand movable axially thereof, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JNO. L. MOCASKEY. itnesses:

DJ W. BAER, F. S. BRENISHOLTZ.

